hich fortunately did
not upset; and James had skilfully managed, not only to stop the horses,
but to avoid falling off, when the great bulk went over. Not so with
Sam. Deep buried in the soft bed he had made, he was too late to save
himself, when he discovered the reality of the danger. It was lucky he
did not fall upon Mark's fork. As it was, he came down easily, with a
very small portion of the load under him, and a very large portion
sweeping down upon him. He was quite buried from sight; but in a moment
his head appeared amid the billows of hay, and he floundered upon the
firm ground.

Sam hardly knew what had taken place. At first he stared about him,
looking at the wagon, and its contents on the ground; then he examined
the straw, which he still held firmly clasped in his right hand.

"Thunder and broomsticks!" cried he, "if the darned old load an't off!
and I've lost my horse-fly!"

Everybody else, except this thoughtless lover of mischief, who witnessed
the disaster, expected to see Mr. Royden thrown into a violent passion.
Father Brighthopes feared that his patience could not hold out. But the
irritable farmer had not exercised his temper during the week to no
purpose. He astonished everybody by his coolness.

"So much for being in a hurry," said he. "I ought not to have expected
such a load to ride across the lot. Now let us be more deliberate, and
do well what we do at all. There's no use of crying for an accident that
cannot be helped."

He and Mark took hold, and threw on enough hay to bind what was left on
the rick; and James drove on, just as a sharp shower was commencing. It
grew very dark, and they topped off the stack in the rain. But the
clouds acted very capriciously. After sifting a little water, they
wheeled away to the south, where the rain could be seen streaking down
over the woods. But there was no more of it on the meadow for some time;
and when at last it began to come down in volleys, the stack was
secured, the hay left in the field was thrown up in shapely cocks, the
load which had fallen off was once more on the rick and going into the
barn, the horses on a keen trot; and the laborers, shouldering their
rakes, were hastening from the field.

Mr. Royden was never in better humor than when he found the old
clergyman, somewhat heated, and perspiring freely, wrapped up in his
great mantle, in the kitchen corner, prattling with George and Willie,
who had just come home from school.